Which Starter Pokémon Is Best? A Generation-by-Generation Ranking

Omar Yusuf

4 min read

Post on May 14, 2025

4.4

Share

Kanto (Generation I) - The Classic Trio

The Kanto region introduced us to the iconic original Starter Pokémon, each with their own unique strengths and weaknesses. Let's break down the classic trio:

Bulbasaur: Grass/Poison Typing

• Pros:
  • Excellent type matchups against many early opponents, particularly those found in Viridian Forest.
  • Access to powerful Poison-type moves, offering both offensive and defensive utility.
  • Good defensive stats, making it relatively durable in early battles.
• Cons:
  • Vulnerable to Fire and Ice types, common among early Gym Leaders.
  • Can struggle against strong Bug and Flying-type Pokémon.
• Overall: A solid and reliable choice, offering a good balance of offense and defense. Bulbasaur's dual typing provides a decent coverage early on.

Charmander: Fire-Type Powerhouse

• Pros:
  • Strong offensive presence, particularly effective against Grass-type opponents.
  • Fire-type moves are generally powerful and have wide coverage.
  • Evolves into the powerful Charizard, a fan-favorite Pokémon.
• Cons:
  • Weak to Water and Ground types, presenting challenges against certain Gym Leaders and wild Pokémon.
  • Can struggle early on against Rock-type Pokémon if not carefully strategized.
• Overall: High offensive potential, but requires strategic play early on to mitigate weaknesses.

Squirtle: Defensive Water-Type

• Pros:
  • Excellent defensive typing, a strong counter to Fire-type Pokémon, which are prevalent early on.
  • High defensive stats make it a reliable tank in battles.
• Cons:
  • Vulnerable to Electric and Grass types.
  • Can lack the offensive punch of other starters early in the game.
• Overall: A consistent and dependable starter, known for its survivability. A great choice for players who prioritize defense.

Ranking: Generally, Bulbasaur offers the most balanced start, followed by Squirtle and then Charmander. The best choice depends heavily on personal play style and preferred battle strategy.

Johto (Generation II) - Expanding the Options

Johto introduced three new Starter Pokémon, each with their own unique twists on the classic types:

Chikorita: Grass-Type Strategy

Chikorita shares similar strengths and weaknesses to Bulbasaur, offering a solid, if somewhat predictable, starting experience.

Cyndaquil: Fire-Type Offense

Cyndaquil, similar to Charmander, offers strong early-game offensive capabilities, with a focus on fire-type moves.

Totodile: Water-Type Defense

Totodile mirrors Squirtle's defensive prowess, providing a reliable bulwark against early fire-type threats.

Ranking: A more balanced generation overall, with Cyndaquil often considered the most versatile thanks to its wider movepool and evolution's access to fighting moves.

Hoenn (Generation III) - The First Triple-Type Starter

Hoenn marked a significant change with the introduction of a third type to the Starter Pokémon's final evolution.

Treecko: Grass-Type Agility

Treecko brings a focus on speed and agility to the Grass-type starter role.

Torchic: Fire-Type Power

Torchic offers a similar fire-type offensive focus as previous generations.

Mudkip: Water-Type Dominance

Mudkip, often considered the strongest of this generation, boasts superior type matchups and a generally strong movepool.

Ranking: Mudkip's superior type coverage makes it a standout, leaving Treecko and Torchic slightly behind.

Sinnoh (Generation IV) - A New Generation of Starters

Sinnoh's Starter Pokémon provided a fresh take on familiar types:

Turtwig: Grass-Type Defense

Turtwig maintains the Grass-type defensive approach seen in previous generations.

Chimchar: Fire-Type Offense

Chimchar follows the tradition of Fire-type offensive prowess, particularly shining in its later evolution.

Piplup: Water-Type Stability

Piplup, a Water-type, offers a stable and reliable foundation for a new team.

Ranking: Chimchar's evolution line, Infernape, is highly regarded for its offensive power and typing, often preferred over the others.

Unova (Generation V) - New Type Combinations

Unova continued the trend of diverse Starter Pokémon:

Snivy: Grass-Type Grace

Snivy's evolution line, Serperior, boasts excellent stats and competitive viability.

Tepig: Fire-Type Strength

Tepig offers strong fire-type attacks and good overall stats.

Oshawott: Water-Type Tactics

Oshawott is a strong Water-type choice.

Ranking: A close race, but Snivy's evolution line, Serperior, often earns the top spot for its graceful strength and competitive viability.

Beyond Generation V: A Brief Overview

The later generations introduce diverse typing combinations and unique abilities, making the "best" choice more subjective and dependent on personal preference and play style. Each generation brings unique Starter Pokémon, and the best choice often depends on individual playstyle and preferences.

Conclusion

Choosing the "best" Starter Pokémon is ultimately a matter of personal preference and gameplay style. However, by considering the type matchups, strengths, and weaknesses of each Pokémon, you can make an informed decision that sets you up for success in your Pokémon journey. This generation-by-generation analysis of Starter Pokémon provides a valuable framework for making your choice. So, pick your favorite Starter Pokémon and begin your adventure! Remember to research the later evolutions and their movepools to make the best decision for your playstyle. Happy battling!